Fun Without Toys

Here's a simple woodwork activity. I know many city-dwellers may baulk at the idea of a preschooler handling woodwork tools, but in many other countries, little children are tasked with chopping firewood, doing heavy chores, and can handle tools competently and responsibly. My little ones had reasonably good gross and fine motor skills, and they have been using real knives to cut fruits and vegetables since the age of 4. So far, they still have all their fingers in tact. :)

We collected thick fallen branches, sawed them into little round coins, painted them over, and voila! We created our very own currency!

Tools / Materials required:

1. Mini hand saw (from Homefix DIY/hardware store)
2. Small clamp (from Daiso/hardware store)
3. Paint (use acrylic if you don't want the colours to come off upon contact with water.) 

Making the Coins

1. Collect nice thick fallen branches that aren't rotten on the inside. 
2. Clamp a branch to a table or bench.  Make sure that it is tightly fastened.
3. Making sure that all body parts are out of the way, saw the branch into coins, with a rhythmic back and forth motion. Slow down as you get to the bottom of each coin so the coin doesn't break off prematurely and unevenly. You may need to hold the handsaw together with your child until he/she is competent.
4. Paint your coins.
5. Go shopping! :)

We may not be able to print money, but at least we can saw our own coins!